Bridging Divides or Widening Gaps? Nonprofit Organizations’ Efforts for Migrant Inclusion in Two Global Cities

Nonprofit organizations are often seen as critical nodes in shaping migrant experiences and supporting the inclusion and representation within host communities. In doing so, nonprofits encounter numerous obstacles. With this study, we explore the factors influencing how well nonprofits include, reach out to, and serve migrants relative to their local presence. We analyze organizational survey data from two distinct urban contexts: Vienna (Austria) and Shenzhen (China), each with unique institutional, political, and cultural backgrounds. Our findings suggest that interpersonal contact and representative governance in nonprofit organizations are closely linked to their (un)responsiveness to the needs of migrant populations. These results challenge the often-idealized perceptions of urban civic spaces and community interactions, underscoring the paradoxical mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion.